Weidelagerung

Weidelagerung is a German term used mainly in geology, soil science and landscape ecology to describe a type of deposition or layering in sediments and soils that arises from long‑term grazing by livestock. The concept refers to how repeated grazing, trampling, and the input of organic matter from dung, urine and plant litter influence soil formation and sediment stratification in pasture environments.

In practice, Weidelagerung describes distinctive stratification patterns in meadow or grassland soils where grazing pressure has altered vegetation, root systems, and moisture regimes over time. Trampling tends to compact the soil near the surface, while organic inputs from grazing animals accumulate in upper horizons, creating layers with varying density, color and organic content. The result is a pedogenetic sequence that reflects past grazing intensity and management, rather than a purely climosequence or lithogenic deposition.

The term is used in historical land-use studies and paleoenvironmental reconstructions to interpret past grazing regimes, pasture management, and their effects on soil development and erosion risk. However, usage and definitions vary by region and author, and some scholars describe the same processes under broader concepts of soil horizon development or pasture degradation rather than with the label Weidelagerung.

Significance lies in informing soil health assessments, nutrient cycling, and restoration planning for grazed landscapes. Related topics include pedology, soil horizons, and the study of grazing impacts on landscape evolution.